Wednesday’s debate in the European Parliament (EP) confirmed what those on the right have long suspected: both the EP and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have become political instruments of the left-wing mainstream in their campaign against sovereign states. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán travelled to Strasbourg to outline the priorities of Hungary’s EU Presidency but found himself in the midst of a purely political and personal confrontation. Both the Commission President and the leaders of the EP’s mainstream political groups launched a series of baseless accusations and propagandistic attacks against Hungary. However, as facts are stubborn things, Orbán held his ground and challenged the MEPs with the truth.
In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen criticized Hungary over its relations with Russia and China, among other issues, stating that PM Orbán’s address placed little emphasis on Ukraine and that Hungary is the only EU member state blaming the victim in the war rather than the aggressor. Von der Leyen drew a parallel between the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the war in Ukraine, asking: ‘Would they have ever blamed the Hungarians for the Soviet invasion of 1956? Or the Czechs and Slovaks for the Soviet repression of 1968? Or the Lithuanians for the Soviet crackdown of 1991?’
In his response, Orbán stated: ‘Any analogy or comparison that equates the Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956 with Ukraine is a mistake and a desecration of their memory. There is nothing in common between 1956 and the Ukrainian-Russian war.’ The Hungarian PM went on to highlight that the EU’s current strategy towards Ukraine is flawed, poorly conceived, and ineffectively executed. He argued that in every conflict, there must be diplomatic engagement, and in its absence, we risk drifting further into the abyss of war. ‘That’s why I propose that we should rally behind peace instead. Let’s advocate for a ceasefire and develop a new strategy, because the current path will lead to our collective downfall,’ he warned.
‘We have relieved Europe of more than 2,000 human traffickers, so we should be commended, not condemned’
Von der Leyen also accused Hungary of hypocrisy regarding its stance on illegal migration, employing a left-wing narrative to support her claims. In May 2023, it was reported that Hungary had released 2,000 people smugglers, with left-wing domestic and international media outlets portraying the situation as if Hungarian authorities had simply set them free. ‘Hungary arrests human traffickers and, after a period of time, deports them from the country with the condition that, should they return, they will face double the prison sentence,’ Orbán clarified. He added: ‘We have relieved Europe of more than 2.000 human traffickers, so we should be commended, not condemned.’
Offended Weber’s Baseless Claims
European People’s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber levelled several false accusations against Hungary. First, the EPP President claimed that the country is isolated within the EU and that ‘nobody talks to them.’ In response, PM Orbán highlighted that this statement was a serious affront to those who had engaged with Hungary in recent months. ‘In preparation for our upcoming EU presidency, I met with your chancellor in Germany, the French president in Paris, and the Italian prime minister in Rome. Are they nobody?’ he posed the rhetorical question.
Weber also claimed that Fidesz did not win the European Parliament elections in Hungary. Orbán responded sharply: ‘We received 45 per cent of the vote in Hungary, while you got 30 per cent in Germany. So who really won?’
The Left Can’t Get Their Facts Straight
Next to speak was the leader of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) parliamentary group, Iratxe García Pérez. The Spanish politician accused Hungary of having high taxes and poor economic performance. Orbán responded that entering a debate without accurate information is a weak position to take. He pointed out that Hungary has an income tax rate of 15 per cent and that the Hungarian economy is growing at twice the EU average. ‘Do facts not matter?’ PM Orbán retorted.
Valérie Hayer, leader of the Renew Europe group, criticized the Hungarian constitutional system, accusing it of discriminating against certain ethnic groups. Orbán refuted this claim, asserting that it is simply untrue, as the Hungarian constitution guarantees everyone the right to live according to their own values and way of life. He added that one thing the constitution does underline, however, is the protection of families.
Martin Schirdewan, leader of the EP’s Left group, accused the Hungarian government of being anti-union and demanded that Hungarian authorities extradite to Germany the German antifa who, along with Ilaria Salis, attacked innocent civilians in Budapest last February, inflicting serious injuries on them simply because they ‘looked like neo-Nazis.’
‘We all know that 80 per cent of the funds Hungary receives from the EU in the form of subsidies go straight back to you’
PM Orbán began by stating that the government always strives for compromise in negotiations with trade unions. ‘We have agreed on a minimum wage increase programme, and we are currently in talks with a good chance of reaching an agreement on wage increases for the coming years,’ he explained. Addressing the case of the German antifa currently in Hungarian custody, Orbán remarked: ‘In Hungary, you cannot assault people on the street for political reasons and then appeal to the European Parliament, saying: “Get me out of jail because I committed a serious assault—a public offence—here in Hungary.” That is not acceptable.’
Some have accused Hungary of hypocrisy for criticising the EU while simultaneously accepting EU funding. Orbán addressed this accusation directly: ‘We all know that 80 per cent of the funds Hungary receives from the EU in the form of subsidies go straight back to you. Eighty per cent of the money given to Hungary ends up in the pockets of your companies. So are we to be criticized for accepting EU subsidies? Is that logical?’
One of the group leaders accused Hungary of sending large numbers of people abroad to work. In response, the Hungarian PM explained that, proportionally, just as many people from Hungary work abroad as from Austria. ‘Are people fleeing Austria as well? This is a false narrative and malicious propaganda,’ he pointed out.
Financing Moscow’s War
There have been repeated accusations that Hungary continues to trade and maintain economic relations with Russia. ‘Hungary’s trade is conducted transparently,’ Orbán stated. In contrast, he argued, many EU countries are engaging in covert business with Moscow through intermediaries in Asia. He highlighted that EU exports to certain Central Asian countries have increased by a billion dollars per month compared to pre-war levels, allowing German, French, and Spanish companies to circumvent sanctions. ‘Since the outbreak of the war, Western countries have actually purchased $8.5 billion worth of Russian oil through Turkish or Indian refineries,’ he pointed out, adding that this behaviour is pure hypocrisy. ‘In 2023, the West bought 44 per cent more Russian oil than in the previous year. Your companies’ tax revenues have flowed into Russia’s budget—to the tune of $1.7 billion. And you accuse us of being Russian-friendly? You are the ones financing the war,’ PM Orbán retorted.
‘Many EU countries are engaging in covert business with Moscow through intermediaries in Asia’
In her speech, von der Leyen referred to Russian guest workers in Hungary, describing them as a ‘security concerns’. In response, Orbán cited the number of Russians employed in larger EU member states: 300,000 in Germany, 100,000 in Spain, and 60,000 in France.
‘The truth is, I did not come here to drill these facts into your heads. That was never my intention. I came here to present the programme of the Hungarian Presidency. I wanted to highlight that there are serious issues at hand. There is a competitiveness problem, a migration problem, and changes are needed. The Hungarian Presidency has some proposals that we are currently discussing with other heads of government, and we would like the EP’s support as well. However, you have turned this meeting into a partisan confrontation. I deeply regret this. But let me be clear: I owe nothing to any of you. If you attack us, I will defend my country!’ Orbán concluded.
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